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Olympian Acts

Act 4. Management Facts

Scene 1. Hunting Lodge of King Janus on the beach, recently converted to Jan Headquarters .

First Floor. The sun Apollo is brightly watching and, as if in encouragement bestowing his benign golden rays on white walls. However some white opaque foldable mobile light-weight canvas-shades screen the monitors and the softly speaking occupants from his all too intense gaze, imparting the whole space a cellular structure, and subtly concealing the complex organization that this huge space harbors. Airy, uncluttered and without constraining the movements of its occupants, the place has the aura of work and life almost fused into one. The workers here appeared to be in communion both with the workspace and the dynamic everyday transformations of the sunlight, both inside and outside their building, fully aware of the distinctive characteristics of dawn, noon, afternoon and evening as well as of the night, and partaking in the multifaceted events of life, life that appeared to be rocking, frolicking and rolling within and outside their precincts, in the neighborhoods, on the beach and even on the hilltops, which seemed to refresh their mental states, every time they cared to throw a glance at that living and bountiful landscape, entirely different from the reflections of light from static and linear planes of the dead matter that they were accustomed to, and that at times enclosed their costly real-estate nests, tightly and mercilessly to the point of suffocation, and which they called home. An elating sense of freedom and lightness seemed to engulf them, their horizons suddenly being stretched into new, and still unknown dimensions. No dead linear planes, but details confronted their vision, no matter in which direction they turned their gaze. They were enjoying their meals and walks and conversation with the same undivided attention, as their work. Add to it, they were more than in the usual way, very much aware of the presence of others, be it the work-mate, a flower or a frog. The space here seemed to emanate with such simple, yet for them magical effects, a place that they had willingly chosen as a temporary abode, where office and home were not two totally irreconcilable entities, but a unified part and parcel of earthly life. They were willing to bear even pain and suffering, that life occasionally presented to every one of the lot, with a genial almost godly strength. Apparently life here was showing them a sense of purpose in the most lucid and simple manner possible, without much linguistic garbage and without the garbled gutturals and pre-meditated seductive suggestions of the media. A sense of purpose, that culture alone could not manage to impart to them, since the latter could not or would not reinforce those still extant hardware and software bonds that bound them to their biology and evolution. In fact their cultures were getting increasingly dissociated from their true essences, which lay as much, when not even more in their biology and their senses as in their cerebral-cortex. Yes, the hegemonic cortex, that had imposed upon them, biologically irrelevant divisions of time, be it that of day or a week or the year or the decades! Decades, that some of them seemed to have lost, pursuing some morbid third-party goals in life, while other creatures, apparently less complex and less advanced, lived and participated in the dynamic cycles of births and rebirths of life in all of its manifestations, witnessing in their own fully earthly existence the things that really mattered, like air and water! They had here, almost everything worth having, and all at a walking distance. The doors here were almost always open and the whole floor had glass and wood for outer walls, that did not obstruct their vision nor inhibit their experience of the events occurring outside. Moreover, ever since they entered this realm, they relived each passing day in all of its entirety, with all of its variations and therefore had always a sense of satisfaction, a feeling of being alive with hardly any moments of remorse at time wasted or gone by. Even when engrossed in their work, their hormones reacted to the play of light and they felt the changes occurring in time. In Saturn’s realm, no one and nothing would steal it from them. And this place and this building, renovated with advice from both Janus and Saturn seemed to have given it back to them, with a flick of a hand. You had this feeling, the whole building was a play of light, fresh forest-air and sensuous curves and could take off, with just a bit of strong wind striking it, into the air and fly.
At the entrance to the big cubicle, with a sign: Communication are seated four women: Lydia, Martha, Roxanne and Tien and two men: Bob and Georgiou. Vinod is standing in front of a big touch-screen and explaining something to them, that seems to have evoked some laughter

Enter: Dave, Tina, Mel, Manu, Rita, Carlos and Ivan

Vinod

Tina I was just recounting ...

Martha

Talk about the devil! That is Tina alright! That was quite funny indeed…

Tina

I am all ears?

Vinod

I told them about your suggestion concerning Bryan.

Tina

Oh, I see?

Mel

What is with Bryan?

Vinod

We received an email from him or his agent, stating that he would probably not be coming, as he had some gigs going on and was presently occupied in a recording session. He also mentioned that he was not feeling that great for the festival?

Mel

Hmm? May be too much of a hassle to give up the tour or recording session, or may be he expects to share the stage with ... Sorry I was just about to chatter some stuff, that I got from the boulevard press, and I am being mean...absolutely out of place here! Perhaps because I would like him so much around, especially with his old band, Phil, Paul and Andy. I dare say, we should take him by his word, shouldn’t we? But it does seem to imply, that he is not completely unwilling. Anyway, what was Tina’s suggestion!

Vinod

Quite a simple suggestion and if it does not work, I guess nothing else will! What a bait!

Manu

No more bush beating Dude! Tell us! Honey why don’t you tell us?

Tina

Gladly, but it was just a suggestion. I told Vinod to write to him, just casually amidst something more mundane, that Psyche is coming too! He will certainly come, when he hears that! I had just heard it before from Dave, that Diana had brought Psyche and Cupid to a small night beach party that they had at the Diana beach last week, with some people from Saturnalia and some musicians from here, the crowd having been chosen by Diana for the occasion.

Carlos

Vow! Psyche!

Martha

I must admit, that is tempting for our Romeo to ignore!

Vinod

Sounds like Tina! Eh? I was fascinated at her matter-of-fact voice and her self assurance at the absolute infallibility of her prediction. As if it wasn't a problem at all! Tell him she is coming and he will come!

Lydia

And did you write to him?

Vinod

Well I wanted a more formal agreement, before writing to him. Besides I think Psyche’s coming is not officially certified...?

Dave

Go ahead Vinod. Psyche is coming. She told it to me. And Cupid too! Gods words are equivalent to our oaths in this respect.

Anyway, we came here to get the latest updates, so as to make the necessary rearrangements before publically publishing the event calendar. A preliminary draft is however already in circulation at our department, to serve as a orientation for planners at the moment. It is quite flexible, to say the least and guess could tolerate great deal of amendments, which we think it will inevitably require, once we have your feed back.

I hope it is self-evident, why we did not mail our invitations with all the necessary FAQ-relevant details except for some important Do’s and Don’ts of this place here, the ones we were aware of and which we thought to be of interest to the artists performing here. Manu is compiling now the final sheet, which should be ready in a weeks time. By the way Janus has agreed to many requests that we received, concerning the use of bicycles within the precincts. It will probably be the only private-transport convenience allowed, besides the ones needed legitimately by persons with disabilities. There are, as a matter of fact, no asphalt roads here, only tracts for magnetic and electric trains, vehicles that do not create noise-pollution, nor require to ignite fossil-fuels in order to move. That way bicycles are welcome and can be deployed on all tracks marked as such, and which we plan to build parallel to the pedestrian ones as far as possible. For steep inclines in the hilly regions, they can be transported in trains, either as cargo or in passenger cabins specially reserved for their transport. We will also be expanding our facilities at the rear of this building for anything to do with them, repairs, maintenance and spare parts with some staff and volunteers helping out.

Anyway we believe we now have sufficient feed back, though still a lot of pending answers to many of the questions, that we have received so far in thousands from our guests. We naturally waited so long, so as to gather enough data first and to get as varied results as far as possible, in order to make viable allowances for the most representative denominator. We plan to tackle them first, before we concentrate on more specific themes or individual requests and questions. No doubt there will be some new demands and questions pouring in from the public in the coming weeks, however I do hope we have not missed anything very important or something relevant to most of our guests. Janus has gone through some of the correspondence and has accordingly compiled an initial draft for us, that he wants us to elaborate further.

He acutely observed the, either directly expressed thinking of the guests or their implicit assumptions, which the latter often presume to be self-explanatory; most of them are however irrelevant, since Realm Janus is radically different in some respects to that of the humans. Questions that humans are prone to ask. Questions like: Do I need a visa...my passport? Vaccinations? Traveler checks? Can I pay with my credit card? Are there phones available and do they function? Do I need to bring water-filters? Can I bring my children or cats and dogs with me? And equally important, Janus has offered his assistance for implementing and improving the facilities for handicapped persons, especially invalids or those confined to wheel chairs or in need of dogs? All rules and regulations here are basically meant as requirements and certainly won’t be enforced, there being no Law Enforcement Agencies here. All realms however do have one or another kind of taboos, and Saturn’s realm has some of its own. Since we are not a marauding army but guests, I sincerely hope these taboos are maintained. But I need not worry much, for I suspect, anyone breaking them may be in for a surprise, they will probably find themselves standing at the gate, probably banished forever! But then I realize, the taboos are really very few and the prohibitions subject to individual considerations, that is they are reasonably flexible.

Taboos are: ammunitions and weapons and harmful organic or non-organic materials, not because Janus or his citizens fear virus or poisons or for that matter, for their potential in damaging the biotopes here, which I believe not to be an issue, as Janus could probably manage to undo any damages incurred through them, but I suspect because of the harm, that these items may entail for us and to the spirit of the Saturnalia’s. In fact many of things, including those managed by our Municipality department, like sewage and water works, could have been probably managed better by the citizens of Janus, and had been explicitly offered to us, which I refused, pointing out to him, that this will be an advantageous enterprise for us, if we took it our own hands, the means and methods being for us equally if not more important than the celebrations themselves. It would mean for us a challenge, a training and a gain in know-how, experience and collaborative work organized in novel and innovative ways with a new kind of motivation that would be in tune with his kingdom, plus it would give us all a sense of purpose and fulfillment at a job well done and lastly imbue the whole activity with an essence, that would reflect the spirit of the Saturnalia. Anyway, to continue...

Prohibited items are: batteries, fuel-cells, pyrotechnical goods, flammable liquids and solids and gases, except in special cases, such as the ones for use in medical appliances, implants, orthopedic devices and wheel chairs that some guests may require. All organic-dependence inducing natural drugs, as well as all synthetic or clinical-extracts of natural drugs are prohibited. What about booze and smoking? Only wine is allowed. No beer, sorry for that. The gods here are convinced, that the excessive use of beer and hard drinks are not compatible with the spirit of the Saturnalia, and may lead to aggressive behaviors, frowned upon by their citizens. Unfortunately there is no known feasible method of restricting their use to tolerable amounts. However those addicted to alcohol, which we all know, includes some of our favorite artist, will be presented a special saturnalia wine, which should take care of that. No commercial sweetened drinks either. Guess why?

Lydia

Probably because of the unnatural method of sugar production and the monoculture that it invariably implies, and the fact that it is generally a concentrated extract, which the gods don’t seem to favor. As far as I know, they still use honey for sweetening.

Mel

Guess you are right, and probably also for the fact, that most of these beverages don’t do that, what they are supposed to do, that is quench your thirst and quite often imply addiction to stuff, like caffeine.

Vinod

But that would imply also no Coffee nor tea? Addictive that way too?

Dave

Tee or coffee on the go is forbidden. In fact most of the food will be served in ceramic dishes with appropriate cutlery. You are supposed to drink, when you are drinking, eat when you are eating, not on the go!

Ivan

I think it may also have to do something with our attitude to food, which certainly needs a reformation, eating as a necessary chore and waste of time. Oh Saturn, do help us!

Bob

Well the sweetened drinks could be also served? I mean you don’t always drink them on the go, or do you?

Dave

Well I said there will be exceptions made to the prohibitions. Some shows, especially may be the rock shows may not have a wine drinking public, well let it be, you can have sweetened drinks here, but not in metal cans please.

Carlos

And what about smoking?

Dave

A curse, according to Janus. But guess what? He smokes sometimes pipe and hookah too?

Tien

Well I always thought that the gods lived on smoke, didn’t they?

Georgiou

Indeed they did but mostly from roasted lamb, said Homer. And the ancients offered them it freely, since it was nothing they themselves needed.

Roxanne

How generous their gods and how easy to maintain!

Dave

But to continue, tobacco is a drug. A natural one and not an extract and as such allowed. Accordingly Janus has requested his citizens, who are great agriculturist, to manufacture a filter from bio-degradable organic materials, that should rapidly decompose, when used and subjected to the effects of the wind and weather, which moreover do not scream at the onlooker, from amidst the flowers, ponds, beach-sand, roads, human-habitats or through the gullets of suffocating small creatures, when someone drops them callously around. Nevertheless, we will request the smokers to make prolific use of amphorae, specially constructed for the purpose and which will be placed at regular intervals within our precincts,blending in the surroundings and which will be cleaned regularly. Smokers are requested to volunteer for the job and should contact Singap from the Municipality. Some biotopes, especially the dry ones, may also have regions, where it is absolutely forbidden. Till now we have had relatively few smokers here, including some of us here. I am glad to say that we have so far conscientiously collected our garbage, and by Jove, it is quite a heap!

And now by far the most important question, who will be granted the admission to the festival? Quite simple the answer. Saturn came up with it, which he however attributed to an inspiration from the muse Polymnia. Anybody! No matter who, but someone who genuinely wants to come, for the celebration of the Saturnalia. To gain the admission, one needs to write one's wish to take part on the festivities and submit it to us. Polymnia and Janus will be the jury. One need not know anything about music or arts or the Muses or about our hosts here. Only the intensity of the desire will count, should it ever come to our having to make choices in order to keep the quantity at its highest value, without jeopardizing the quality of our offerings or causing damage to this sanctuary of the Muses, for that is what this place here is inevitably evolving into. All one needs to do is write to us, request permission and if possible explain why? There are neither constraints on the number of words that one may employ to express ones wish nor are there any minimum requirements concerning their number. It will be an expression of their wish. Even if they write something fake and contrived, it too will reveal to the jury the extent of the innately felt desire. Those who don’t want to write, may speak to Polymnia. She will automatically appear and make a formal invitation, to the person. This may not however work consistently across the populations, for reasons, I am not able to gauge fully. There will be no tickets, the acceptance for admission will be felt by the person, who has applied. And the pilgrimage up to the gate will normally be a solid proof of the visitors desire to be here, and in most of the cases should suffice to gain the entrance, which however does not preclude others who may appear here accidently or for entirely different reasons than those we profess to hold for this occasion and worse for reasons that are destructive or in clash with ours. However the chances of the latter gaining an entrance here is almost nil. Well there are here everywhere invisible guardians of this realm, who are also watching us at times. Although many of the artists are guests of mine, the audience is not. They are truly in their own right guests of Janus and his citizens, of Saturn and the Muses, just like you and me, who are also guests in this realm.
Heck ! I have talked non-stop so far, but I guess it had to be said. Thanks for listening. Now a bit about the Topography, before Vinod starts updating us on the latest from the planet!

Manu

I am not going into details here. Those interested may look up the files in the intranet under:Environment; sub-heading: Topography. Ole has just completed a detailed descriptions of the hilly regions located in the north-east of Janosphere. We have all agreed to use this term, to refer to all the area that Janus has graciously offered to us. I will just attempt to describe briefly the main environs here. These hilly regions, that you see on the map here, extend from north to almost two thirds of the full length of Janosphere to the south. A huge terrain, with valleys and glens and a few plateaus, with a very diverse flora and fauna. The range at the south, bit subdued in height nevertheless has vast plains with mainly Mediterranean flora and fauna and a landscape quite reminiscent of the archaic times in Greece, turning increasingly more temperate as we move upward to north and east. Here you will find nestled in the valleys over twenty or more amphitheatres, which should serve all the needs of ours as far as classical music is concerned, as most of muscians, planning concerts here have shown a preference for them rather than modern stages. Nevertheless we are constructing a few more for more modern renditions or for the music of some modern composers, who we believe require them or have explicitly put forward congenial wishes. This whole area we have arbitrarily named as the Elsas. Deciduous forest, green valleys and orchards as we move northward. Baroque, choirs, and Gregorian Music. Further on more higher ranges and isolated valleys, should suit well the folklore of the peoples from higher altitudes as well as Celtic and Peruvian bands, Bavarian yodelers, Tibetan horns and Siberian chants. Here there are some scattered amphitheatres but we are planning a lot more constructions from materials that do justice to the surroundings. And the lodgings at high altitudes are naturally heated. There will also be warm water available. This region we have named Janwoods, a misnomer since it harbors several distinctive biotopes with quite varying flora and fauna.
Here to the right and stretching from north and down a few longitudes over the midline is the slightly urbanized part of Janosphere. This has a bit of an El-Dorado look and feel, mainly due to the infrastructure and associated structures that the headquarters, located here near the beach have brought into existence. The lodges, the railway and pedestrian tracks, the windmills and the sewage system and the barracks for all conceivable groups of volunteers and the lodges for the artist and the public. Nevertheless we still have here plains, and even hills further inland and dunes to the south and as we move to west more or less along the midline, we come upon the wetlands. This whole predominantly flat region, with a temperate weather is now called Avikos, a name chosen by Jan, that is Janus in honor of Dave here _ combination of Kos and David.

[ Clapping of hands. ]

Manu

Avikos is mainly meant for Rock, Jazz and Folk music. There are at least a few hundred stages being built here and we assume will probably turn out to be the most dense area of the lot, also because of the headquarters being located here. Between the slightly urban Avikos and the Janwoods, we have the river Janiper. Along much of its encampment, as it emerges from its embrace of the Jan ranges, to slow down and flow leisurely through the plains, swamping the wetlands to the east, we have erected small stages, barely visible from the distance and some perfectly blending pile-works amidst the marshes and grass land and coursing through the tributaries you might see some exotic looking houseboats, meant mostly for solo concerts and great food. There are crocodiles here, but rather diminutive in size and vigor and great many exotic species of birds.
To the south of the Avikos on the west side, we still have two more eco-themes. Slightly arid sand dunes, where we are planning a 1001 revival with musical renderings and Spanish Gypsy music, and where others musicians are planning to make short sorties and some visual artists are planning to inhabit.
Separating this Bedouin-tope from the still unchecked forests to the south, that probably stretch to the sea and that are most probably of a tropical kind are the highest mountains in all of Janosphere. We have decided not to include these regions in our festivities. They will doubtlessly serve as a refuge for those who may want to take a leave from all the action here, and go on a trekking on their own. There are no facilities planned here, nor is this area shown in our map here. Terra Incognito! And I believe it is good so!
Thanks for your attention.

[ Clapping of hands. ]

David

Thanks, Manu. I guess that was it. Now it is your turn folks. By the way, if you have any questions, please go ahead.

Georgiou

Yes, David. How far are you guys with introductions, that is with a list of artists and the compositions they will be playing at opening day of the festival?

David

I am afraid, still at the beginning more or less. However the main theme, that will be resonating on the first day through out the Janosphere will most probably be dedicated to Janus and Saturn, which means we will be hearing compositions concerning Time. It is probably something, though not as ubiquities as the heartache-song, that has found expression in the rhymes and tunes of many cultures and genres. It may include amongst others, the modern ones, like chasing or frittering it away from Pink, the baroque ones associated with the four seasons of the temperate zones, and no doubt often represented in folks music of great many cultures, as well as real old ones, depicting changes that take place in nature in varied biotopes, expressed by artists in many cultures or those that concern specifically the human destiny, like the song : when I am 64 from the JP and co. ..

Tina

Or 4 & 20 ?

David

Thanks Tina, I feel honored, for your mentioning a song of our old group. But I am afraid you will have to ask Steve for that, it is his number. I guess I won’t personally have time to appear on any show at all, certainly not on the first day. But the rest of the lot, including Neil and James and Joni maybe playing our songs, if you ask them to.

Tien

I recently came upon some news-item in our intranet, mentioning that some of our people, laying railway tracks up in the mountains in the northeast of Janwoods, had seen some sloth or grizzly or was it ice bears or something akin? Is it true?

Manu

Glad you mentioned it. Reminds me of something that I forgot to mention earlier. They were not bears, no.. no sloth bears either, nor our big blues bear, rolling in the shade, though there is a good chance that there might have been some real bears passing by in the region at that time, but these ones were Sloths for sure, although this is not their kind of ecosphere

Bob

Sloths!

Manu

Well the territory bordering all of the kingdom of Janus, and that naturally includes our Janosphere, is bounded in the north by the realm of Diana. She has presently a lot of rehabilitation programs going around on her grounds. Amongst others, there is one for the Sloths, who have a more or less a simulated tropical rain-forest niche for themselves, but may now and then make excursions to the south. Not only sloths, you may find all kind of rare and endangered species here, those who are on explorations. Since Saturn and Diana are on more than friendly terms, the two have not drawn any sharp boundaries between their territories and the inhabitants can move freely between the two. No need however to worry on this issue. Diana knows about it and she has already drawn a fence, that will prevent any one crossing from these specific niches into Janosphere for the period of our festival. That is the reason, I did not feel it be relevant to mention it earlier, but I am glad to clear this matter now, which might otherwise have lead to some unwarranted speculations.

[ Silence and then whispers and subdued voices, that gradually evolve into audible conversations ]

David

Any more questions? ... Apparently none! I guess Vinod, you may go ahead, I am all ears.

Tina

Me too!

[ Manu turns off the map illumination. There is a short break, during which some of them rearrange the chairs and bench so as to make them face the monitor at the end of the cubicle, that Vinod turns on. Soon all are seated except Vinod, who is apparently retrieving some Email and displaying them on the screen. ]

Vinod

First some, what we thought at first to be a bad news indeed, but that turned out to have a good ending. Duke wrote to us that Max seemed to have disappeared. Both Charlie and Duke seemed unable to track him down. This was right before, Duke was planning a re-recording of his old composition: A Little Max again in New York, however in a new high-tech studio. New York is a big place and we hoped he was alright. But then he himself called me on phone, from some local bar in Harlem, a bit tipsy and probably after having had a brawl with the owner of the pub, where he had played a couple of tunes. “Hey, good fella! Make you no worry! I am coming alright…sure I am, as sure as the pen of Duke, I dare say! Excuse, bit tipsy! This stuff, they give you out here! Awful! Man, scares the shit out of you! It does, I tell you. Or may be I drank the stuff on empty tummy! Never mind I am coming. I already called Duke, tomorrow I will turn up at studio, on time for the recording. Sorry people, for the inconveniences, sincerely I do apologize." I told him it was alright, as long as he was well, but we sure were worried and disappointed, since we all were looking so much forward to his coming, and he better take care of himself, since we folks needed him direly, and out here we had some real good stuff, that he would probably like much better, since it had the blessings of the Muses and Janus. I was naturally thinking of the wine of Saturnalia. I am sure he will like it! He said, he is looking forward to it. I am now sure this is no more a problem, and am thankful that he called me. Just two days later I received a Email from Duke, confirming that everything was alright. Max had turned up on time for the studio recording. And they will probably pack their things as soon as they are finished with their recording session, which may be at least a month or two before the begin of our festival. They will be coming together with a lot of other musicians. No, Duke said he does not want a too big place for his shows. A small amphitheatre would do, and if possible amidst a hill overlooking a brush and scrub landscape and maybe with a few thatched huts scattered here there for refreshments, etc. He said, he already has his head full of tunes, celebrating the sunrise, sunset and the landscape, a really new feeling for him, and one piece: Breakfast at Sunrise, he has already on paper. I told it to Manu at once, who... but may be Manu, you may recount your suggestion yourself?

Manu

Of course. I know the right place for it, in Elsas, which is mainly reserved for Classic Music. Here he would have the perfect sunrise for the occasion. However, I thought it necessary to talk with the NGO’s from Africa first, for the possibility of giving the landscape a more brush and scrub appearance, prior to suggesting anything. Accordingly I went with the Coordinator of the group Oboto and some his volunteers to the place, and they thought they would need a few weeks to get the place rolling. Janus came to know about it and his citizens have already brought in the thatch and tree stems, for the huts. I guess you could reply to Duke and say it would be ready in a months time. What do say to that, Dave?

David

Alright with me.

Vinod

Alright let me jot this down on my notice board here first. O.K. To continue, there is this one wish, bit exotic though, from Ravi. For his Sitar renderings pertaining to the varied moods of the dawn, morning, afternoon, evening and night, he is envisioning an open, just a slightly humid landscape with tall grass or even paddy fields, with some water, a canal or a small river peacefully flowing by. Moreover he would prefer his audience sitting down on grass rather than on chairs and banks and if possible refrain from smoking.

Bob

Ravi! Ravi! Hell! All day no smoking! Well this your show, can’t complain. But couldn’t one suggest to him to allow hookah, may be? What do you say too that, Dave?

David

If you ask me, I would suggest this is something you could talk to him about, later as when he is here. We can always amend the information on our Events List, they are supposed to be nothing static and subject to change, at short notice, unless there is some legitimate protest from others, who may not be reckoning with such a change. And as you said, it his show, it will be his wish, that will carry the most weight. Assuming however that there are certain members of his audience, who are coming fully prepared for a non-smoking get-together and on being suddenly confronted with hookah smokers, they would certainly have a legitimate grievance, which has to be addressed, but I guess that can be resolved there and then. A matter between Ravi and his audience. However it would be appropriate to mention right from the start, that Ravi is requesting a non-smoking audience, but that some fans of his are planning to request him, due the sheer length of time, for allowance to smoke hookah or pipe, as the case may be and assuming Ravi agrees, they may have to reckon with hookah smokers amidst themselves. But then, I think Bob, it should not be that much of a problem not to smoke for a day?

Bob

Certainly not, Dave. But I know, as far as I am concerned, that I would enjoy the rendering more, if I can smoke. Moreover, being denied an addiction like that, makes me partly inattentive, as I think about it more often than I wish to . With hookah however, I would have this feeling, sitting in the open air, I am not missing anything, and feel myself fully ready to be taken anywhere and any realms, where ever his music floats into.

David

I understand, and of course you are free to contact him, in this respect. It will be however his decision that will count and that is something we certainly don’t want to influence. Nevertheless as his fan, you do have certain rights and you should not hesitate to mention it to him. All good musicians respect the wishes of their fans, and I am sure he is no exception. Needless to say it may however have a religious basis, that abhors addictions of unhealthy sort.

Bob

Let us then leave at that. I won’t request anything. I am going and I won’t be smoking, I have this feeling, that this place makes my addiction pleasantly benign. I really don’t need it as I used to back at our office.

Carlos

Same goes for me too.

Vinod

For me too!

Martha

For me too!

Lydia

Although I am not going to the concert, except may be for the sunrise and sunset ragas, I guess I can do perfectly well without smoking. In fact I am smoking already less than half of the amount I used to back home.

David

I am glad then, that this problem is solved. We will leave it at that. We will probably need the help of Janus, to arrange for that bit of humidity or Manu, can you envision something different?

Manu

I have thought about it already, as Vinod updates me, in such issues immediately almost synchronal, you might say. Well you see … or let me show you here on the map… you see here, that the Elsas borders on the wetlands to the east, separated by the Janiper and yes here you will find many wide green open spaces, maybe one near to the river will be appropriate. Ravi , as a matter of fact, has additionally requested a landscape with birds, if possible. And here we have plenty of them. It is also slightly humid on the western side, though considerably less than on the East, which is probably due to the drier winds from the north of the great mountains reaching only so far to north and making here a sharp turn for some still unknown reason toward west. You really have some beautiful meadows here quite near to the river. May be we could even light candles all along the river bank for an late evening raga, just like in Varanasi! As far as seating is concerned, some volunteers from middle east have consented to supply us with some of their cushions and carpets for the occasion, from the countless ones that they have brought for furnishing the Bedouin-tope. Moreover we have already received a lot of textile sheets and carpets from the volunteers from India and Indonesia for such occasions. I guess we can consider, this issue too as resolved. We don’t need to bother Jan with anything in this respect. I thought we might also offer to Shiv and his group one or another of these meadows.

David

Well Vinod, I guess you could write to Ravi, that the work here has started and we hope to be able to fulfill most of his wishes, including refraining from smoking!

Vinod

O.K. Just another notice for me. Now for the more easier ones. Yehudi has no requests. He will play with others around the place, including Ravi. However, he could bring an orchestra along, with or without conductor, in case we needed one. But he would prefer to come alone and wander around.

Ivan

Guess he wants to enjoy the festivities himself and listen to others and maybe jam with others.

David

Write to him, he is welcome to feel free here, ther are no obligations and he can honour any place with his presence, and should he need assistance to consult Greg at the: Artist Assistance Center.

Vinod

Another note. Alright, same goes for Klaus & Joerg, who will also like to wander around with their two instruments, they are already preparing for the trip. They will be here the next month. Quick I say. I guess it is because of Janus personal request, he wants to listen to their great even if short rendering of Mozart’s: Canon Inverses, which doubtlessly will be one of the opening themes of the festival, quite appropriately dedicated to Janus! I have already written to them, to let us know just a day before, so that Dave can take them right away to Janus, who is eager to listen the composition being played in his palace. Gods, Mortals, Titans and Muses, they are going to have a real multi-culti audience!

Then we have another Klaus from Germany, who wants some kind of Sri-Lankan forest. Manu had initially assigned to him a place bordering Diana’s Realm up in the Northeast amidst north-westerly ranges of the Janwoods, where the Janiper has its source. However further north as you come upon the realm of Diana, there occurs a perceptible change in temperature, precipitation and the vegetation, till after only a couple of hours foot march, you find yourself amidst Diana's tropical mini rain-forest, with exotic species of birds and some reserves meant for the rehabilitation of certain endangered species of tropical plants and animals. Big seas and some plains border this area and it is quite humid here. Diana has offered a part of it, for just such eventualities, which I believe to be also appropriate for Marlui and her troupe of Amazon-Indians. It could also serve the needs of some of the compositions of the Pink. And of course Manu has changed his mind concerning the place for Klaus's performance, as he came to know about this great present from Diana.

Philip wants something more modern, glass-architecture, I believe, and near to the Beach. Manu selected the beach north of our headquarters in Avikos, where such constructions are already in full swing. That should also serve the needs of Isaac, Arnold, Andre and other renditions of certain specific contemporary compositions blending their shows and stages landwards and to the south with those meant primarily for Jazz music. One exception being Pink, our biggest problem so far.

Manu

Yes, you might say that again.

David

Two problems actually, but we might reserve them for the end.

Vinod

We are almost finished. There is not much else at present, but I see there is a lot of new mail here, which I haven’t gone through as yet. However the classic music planning seems to be well on its way toward a successful conclusion. The main issue so far, that we have had with the orchestra, we sent invitations to, including amongst others many famous metropolitan ones, from Tokyo to Vienna, seemed at first to be the passionately expressed disagreements concerning the choice of conductors and the composers relevant for the occasion, amongst most of their members. The problem has however now been resolved, without our intervention, by the choice being unanimously made for eighteen conductors, nine active and nine in waiting at any given time, and chosen for their affinity for baroque, classic and modern compositions respectively, which means six conductors for each genre. The choice of composers has been left entirely, but not always in the hands of the composers and a jury that acts as an intermediate instance for coordinating the biotope relevant themes and the wishes of our hosts and the public, whenever the need arises. Almost all of them have consented to use the Greek Amphitheatres for the occasion, that will no doubt incorporate some subtle acoustic manipulations not generally visible to the public and a theatre- and environs-lighting, from the best what modern technology has to offer. Same goes for the instruments. Nothing less than acoustic masterpieces, courtesy of the manufacturers themselves.

Next we have the classical Jazz , the new ethno-fusion Jazz and music, that due to the widely prevalent ignorance concerning its more specific generic qualities , albeit very intensely perceived by the musicians themselves, is generally subsumed in western hemisphere under an ad hoc term: ethnic music, a non-specific term actually and that probably includes everything only superficially known. Most of them however have not submitted any special requests, excluding a few, like the one from Duke, except for the fact, to have the freedom of choice in designing their own places and shows, with their own volunteers and of course appreciative of any help they may get from us. Well with so many experienced volunteers already here and more coming, many of them acknowledged specialists in their fields, that should not be a problem, should the need arise. Same goes with Bedouin-tope musicians participating in 1001 nights Revival. They will discuss there plans with us and hopefully not shy away from asking help, if required. So also with wandering musicians in all genres. A special department for their assistance is already in existence, managed by Gregg. I have accordingly sent them Email, with all the particulars of Gregg’s office, and henceforth to contact Gregg directly. Rock shows will be managed by Kurt, Lucrecia and Alva. Here too many groups have their own people for the occasion

Now for some more problematic issues. Here we have an Email from the Cathedral Choir, who are of course willing to make do with the amphitheatres, and find the idea romantic in a way, but fear that they may not do full justice to Cavalli’s or Bach’s choral music and the sound of organ, without the enclosing gothic walls. ..

Manu

Absolutely unfounded! Katy has found the right valley, almost like a deep gorge, that nestles an amphitheatre amidst thick vegetation, the cliffs should function as cathedral walls, we will install special material walls, almost transparent here, which will reinforce the echo, simulating that of a gothic cathedral, in fact we believe, used correctly the whole valley will resonate with their acoustic signals, surpassing any surround sound and yet with the natural dynamic of solid materials equal to those of the cathedrals. Ole and Kathy already tested the acoustics on the spot and are now computer-simulating the effect of the new materials, that Kathy's company has generously consented to manufacture and install for us here and she thinks it could even far exceed the one her company has recorded at great many cathedrals. She says, the artist don’t even need to sing with full gusto, the materials will assure that nothing is absorbed but reflected, you will have a hall effect alright, if that is what they want.

Vinod

Thanks Manu, that helps. I will reply to them, the first thing in the morning, since I am a choir fan too, and thought it sure was a big problem. We may have to construct a church for them, Romanesque at least, if not gothic! Eh! You did not mention this thing to me before. Anyway we do have a problem with Pink…though!

David

Two, I must repeat, hell I am breaking my head with it…

Ivan

Never took you for a Pink fan?

David

That is besides the point. The guys do have problem.

Bob

Just look at JP and Co! They never had such problems?

David

Oh, It not that I am talking about. That is really their problem not ours, if you are referring to the rumors of their splitting off and some rather unpleasant vibes that may go with it, like the possiblity of having to settle the issues in court.. . those are rumors and for us absolutely irrelevant at present.

Vinod

I have some good news though. The first problem has been solved. For those of you who may not be aware of it, they wanted to come with their full equipment, including the old one, to simulate their experimental period which we had requested. But everything coming here, people or cargo can only enter through the main gate, from whence we take over the transportation. There is a landing place for planes, a dockyard for ships and cargo, quite near to the main gate, located about 250kms to the north of our headquarters. There is, as you all know no access for humans to Janosphere via land, except for those who are willing to wander through Diana’s Realm, which many are doing on their own, where they might meet the Muses and some gods too, if they are lucky, but where there are absolutely no roads, let alone ones for transportation of cargo. Anyway, Pink discovered, that the Lear jet of theirs could hardly manage the bands, the technicians and their employees for the show, and those busloads of percussions and their sound-boxes, from those good old times of theirs, let alone all the modern high-tech stage-show paraphernalia they have lately taken a fancy too or their more recent installations, so in tune with modern art and their modern tunes. Now what? Well they therefore made a contract with Lockheed and Martin, for a sleek cargo plane with rooms for passengers, bath, sauna, gym etc.etc., and I believe even a sound studio for rehearsals. It was supposed to be ready in a months time. However the company has at present so much orders from the Army pending, and some one from the army apparently got the wind of the matter and complained, so the company just froze the contract indefinitely and stopped the construction, even willing to pay for the damages, which was rather sad. However this problem got miraculously solved without their or our intervention or without our need to ask Janus for help and so perfectly well on time! Apparently a certain influential chief-of-staff of the army, probably an old Pink fan, has nudged the company to start with the construction, assuring them there will be no complaints coming from the army anymore. Well they should have it ready in three weeks now!

Bob

Connections eh! Well would my name sake ever be able to summon such succor?

David

Well, Bob? Heavens, hope he never needs it! Here he may be jamming with others, especially the Grateful Dead. By the way Garcia has requested, that the band be called the Grateful Here, for the period of the festivities.

Vinod

Anyway the second issue is about construction of the stages for their shows or choosing the right environs, that may do justice to their music. They do represent many varied genres, stylistic nuances and epochs and multicultural elements and consequently need more than one or I may say some very specific habitats for some of their compositions. I will mention some of the major ones, that we think we could implement, without much trouble for us. Their renderings of: Atom Heart Mother could be done at the same spot or near about the place, meant also for the Cathedral Choir, we were talking about earlier. The Syd-period renderings of the Gnome, Matilda Mother, etc. , though begging also the sea, could however be managed within a temperate forest-biotope, with a river or a brook. Umma Gumma renderings, we have unanimously placed in the wet-lands, although they would certainly need a forest, may be even a rain forest. However here you will have the kingfishers and as an extra, special guests one may say, even some blue-footed boobies diving into the water, just for the show, that is. Their number : Echo will be rendered on the coast near to Diana Beach, with the consent of Diana, which we already got. Their Wish you were here naturally in our semi urbanized Avikos. Dark side of the moon somewhere between Avikos and Bedouin-tope, presently being surrealistically designed by many artists. This certainly is an exceptional group. But as it happens, they do meet others here and there, like Cavalli in the Janwoods; Led, Nusrat, Gigi in Bedouin-tope and Philip, Saint-Saens, Debussy, Ravel, KingC, ELP, Tuxedo, FrankZ in glass architecture and minimal or surrealistic urban landscapes at Avikos, as well as Klaus in the tropical rain forest in Diana's Realm, and of course will be extensively represented in the wet lands including on a houseboat gliding through the arms of the Janiper, amidst swamps, marshes and bogs. And their number Time is a special request of Saturn and will be played in great pomp at Janus-Court too. Well we are still not finished with them. Just now it entered my mind, if they would render their number Bike at our “Bicycle Garage”, that we decided earlier to construct at the back of our headquarters. That would be a gig, I would love!

Bob

And I too would suggest, at least one rendering of Shine On… here at our headquarters, although I presume it is an ode to Syd rather than Apollo.

Tina

Are you sure?

Bob

Not really! Come to think of it, our musial Stars like Wolfgang, Ludwig, JohnL, Jimi or JimM, had all something tragically martyr-like on them, just like our Syd. But although self-sacrificing, freely distributing his essence for the evolution of life on our Earth, until the end, when he will become a dark hole, our Apollo is certainly not tragic. Self-sacrificing but not a tragic figure.

David

you are quite right, but it is the perception of the Greeks, which as I heard it from Saturn, may be have been considerably influenced by the Olympian gods, after the defeat of the Titans. Nevertheless Saturn, who is certainly no great friend of the Olympians perceives him as very cheerful god, albeit a very self-effacing one, without a hard-core ego, a property, that we all, assembled here have to be thankful to, for ever having existed in time and space and for being here today and talking about it! But I realize we are digressing. I think Vinod, you should continue. Like you said, we are not finished with them. However it is good to know they are coming. As far as your wish is concerned, who knows, maybe it may turn out to be fact. Syd may be here too! Calliope is going to bring him along, don’t ask me how? I got it from Diana, who got it from Cupid, who got it from Calliope. We may believe it though. This is an enchanted place after all! So you may get your Bike at the Garage!

Vinod

Weird? Isn’t it? You started with the bicycles as the only private transportation allowed for the general public here and I am almost ending my account with a mention of the bike, and you are telling me Syd might be coming. This is enchanted _ my associations, the facts, no may be this whole place is enchanted in a delightful manner. Anyway to continue, we also made some enquires at Lockheed Martin, the plane should be ready at the scheduled time. So it is for certain, that they will be here and with one of the busiest schedules, that any group will have. Now for Jammers, like Ry, JohnG, Zakir, Mendez, Trilok, JohnM, Dizzy to mention only a few, I will be giving them all Gregg's Email ad, and you folks can visit him in his office on the ground floor, for any updates. I guess that was it.

Any questions.? ... Well apparently none. Thanks for listening.

[ Clapping of hands. David stands of. ]

David

So far so good. I guess we are ready for compiling a FAQ list. Next we have to decide about the lodgings for the artists. They should all have the necessary particulars, before they enter here or we should have them ready at the reception, when they turn up. Alright, we have some hopefully more pleasant problems and solutions ahead of us. Sunset smells of dinner and voices calling me to end my tale. Now for the dinner. This was a long day.

Manu

You bet!

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Act 6.   Diamond Lucy Classic Rock Facts >>